AN elite team that embodies the virtues of integrity, bravery and morality is critical to overcome the illegal cigarettes super cartel.
Such is the brainchild of former Sarawak State Police Chief Datuk Dr Yusoff Nook following recent media reports of four officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department being charged for releasing two containers of seized illegal cigarettes.
“This unprecedented case underscores the severity of criminal infiltration into our law enforcement agencies that have propelled Malaysia into the No. 1 spot of illegal cigarettes trafficking in the world,” he pointed out.
Citing the 1987 classic that featured Sean Connery and Kevin Costner, Yusoff reckoned that such endemic issue can only be overcome if there is an elite team like The Untouchables spearheading the multi-agency task force (MATF) which has been operationalised to counter the illegal cigarettes trade problem.
He further confirmed that the illegal cigarettes business is currently being facilitated by a super cartel involving high ranking people from both the private and public sectors.
Malaysia losses an estimated RM5 bil each year in uncollected tax revenue to this economic crime.
“If this problem has been resolved earlier, the Government do not have to utilise this same amount of money from the National Trust Fund (KWAN) to fund our vaccination programme,” opined Yusoff who had previously held various positions in the police force, including heading the commercial crime unit and economic intelligence unit of the special branch.
In order to form The Untouchables of Malaysia, Yusoff proposed that it is important to populate the MATF with individuals who have the right character, track record and skill-set.
“Individuals like the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador or his subordinate Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, the Johor Police Chief, are prime examples of those who dare to go against the grain and to protect the country,” suggested Yusoff who is currently president of E-Cure Sdn Bhd, a consultant company in economic crime control.
“Our team of The Untouchables in MATF cannot operate beyond the law but can carry out their duties with out-the-box approach, utilising state-of-the-art technologies and techniques available in modern law enforcement today.”
“Such approach will enable MATF to accomplish significantly more than what it has done to date in order to shut down this illicit cigarette trade once and for all.”
A 1987 American movie directed by Brian De Palma and produced by Art Linson, The Untouchables stars Kevin Costner, Charles Martin Smith, Andy García, Robert De Niro and Sean Connery.
The film follows Eliot Ness (Costner) who forms an elite squad called The Untouchables to bring Al Capone (De Niro) to justice during the Prohibition period in the US. – April 29, 2021
